Jose Reyes’ potential final game with the Mets turned into the kind of fiasco only this franchise could manufacture.

Maybe some is forgiven, after Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun finished 0-for-4 against the Pirates last night, making Reyes the first NL batting champion in Mets history. But a questionable decision by Reyes in the Mets’ 3-0 victory over the Reds to complete the 2011 season may have tainted the accomplishment in some quarters.

In a one-and-done appearance, the All-Star shortstop’s batting title pursuit trumped all other considerations, bringing a chorus of boos from the small crowd — maybe 20,000 — at Citi Field that hoped to savor Reyes for possibly the last time.

Reyes bunted for a single in the first inning and was promptly removed from the game with a .337 average, leaving Braun, at .335, in need of at least a 3-for-4 performance to win the crown. Braun’s 0-for-4 night at Miller Park left his final average at .332.

Reyes decided before taking the field he wanted out if he got a hit in his first at-bat. It was a decision supported by manager Terry Collins, who didn’t want to risk losing the trust of a valued player whom the Mets will attempt to re-sign this offseason.

“It’s kind of tough. I wanted to stay in the game,” Reyes said. “But [fans] have to understand, too, what’s going on. They have to feel happy about it if I win the batting title. I do that for the team, and the fans, too.”

Collins hinted before the game that Reyes could depart early, but few could have suspected he meant one at-bat. A stunned silence, followed by a scattering of boos, overtook the ballpark as Justin Turner was announced as the pinch runner for Reyes in the first inning.

“We talked [yesterday] morning when [Reyes] came in and I asked him how he wanted to go about this,” Collins said. “I wanted to take him out at the appropriate time. He said if he got a hit his first time up he wanted to come out. I said, ‘I want you to win this thing,’ and he said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ It was decided then.”

Collins got emotional discussing the dilemma he faced, trying to placate the fans and Reyes, who will be a free agent.

“I understand, and I’ve heard some comments in the stands, and I don’t blame them,” Collins said. “People pay a good price to come to these games, and they’ve got to understand that I ask these players to do a lot. [But] we worked hard to get [fans’] respect this year and they deserve ours.

“If I don’t follow [Reyes’ request], I could possibly lose the one thing I helped create all summer long in one instance, and I wasn’t going to let that happen today,” Collins added. “I can understand anybody in this room or in the stands being upset or being offended by it, I truly understand it.

“But when I now walk in that room and say something, [players] know I’ll stand behind it. And down the road that is going to mean a lot.”

Among Reyes’ detractors was Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson, who took a shot at Reyes on Twitter.

“Seriously people — taking out a star player to preserve his batting average lead…weak!” Wilson tweeted. “I hope ryan braun goes 5- 5 and wins the title now.”

David Wright defended Reyes.

“He’s had a great year, obviously, and it’s his call,” Wright said. “I don’t think the criticism is on point in this case.”